Shrestha R M, Shrestha S, Acharya A, Gupta A
Department of Orthodontics, Kantipur Dental College, Basundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Department of Community and Public Health Dentistry, Kantipur Dental College, Basundhara, Kathmandu, Nepal.
Kathmandu Univ Med J (KUMJ). 2020;18(70):15-20.
Background The COVID-19 pandemic has caused lockdown situation impeding all educational institutions including dental colleges. The circumstance demanded online classes as the alternative strategy for continuation of education. Objective To assess current practice and perception about online education among faculties of dental colleges in Nepal. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted among 208 faculties of all dental colleges in Nepal. Data collection was done through structured online questionnaire comprising demographic information, practice and perception of the respondents towards online education. Descriptive statistics surveyed the frequency distribution and Chisquare test assessed the difference in perception among the faculties of different universities. Result The response rate was 74.3%. Faculties commonly used PowerPoint presentation (96.6%) on Zoom platform (83.3%) using laptop (94.7%) with Wi-Fi connection (91.8%). Majority of faculties had good or satisfactory access to internet (94.8%). The faculties believed that the online class environment was interactive (95.2%); but it was not effective (86.5%) as live classroom. Majority of the faculties (79.4%) felt tracking of students' presence was difficult. There was no significant difference on perception towards online class among the faculties of Kathmandu University, Tribhuvan University and BP Koirala Institute Health Sciences at p < 0.05. Conclusion The COVID-19 pandemic has paved the way for e-learning in dental education in Nepal. Faculties agree to complete the theory syllabus and conduct sessional exams as an alternative during the lockdown period. However, they show strong reservations in carrying out practical/clinical simulations and university exams online. Training on e-learning and institutional strategy for online education is recommended.
新冠疫情导致封锁局面，阻碍了包括牙科学院在内的所有教育机构。这种情况要求开展在线课程作为继续教育的替代策略。目的：评估尼泊尔牙科学院教师对在线教育的当前实践和看法。方法：对尼泊尔所有牙科学院的208名教师进行了一项横断面研究。通过结构化在线问卷收集数据，问卷包括人口统计学信息、受访者对在线教育的实践和看法。描述性统计调查了频率分布，卡方检验评估了不同大学教师之间看法的差异。结果：回复率为74.3%。教师们通常在Zoom平台（83.3%）上使用PowerPoint演示文稿（96.6%），使用笔记本电脑（94.7%）并通过Wi-Fi连接（91.8%）。大多数教师能较好或满意地访问互联网（94.8%）。教师们认为在线课堂环境具有互动性（95.2%）；但与现场课堂相比效果不佳（86.5%）。大多数教师（79.4%）觉得难以追踪学生的出勤情况。加德满都大学、特里布万大学和BP柯伊拉腊健康科学研究所的教师对在线课程的看法在p<0.05时无显著差异。结论：新冠疫情为尼泊尔牙科教育中的电子学习铺平了道路。教师们同意在封锁期间完成理论教学大纲并进行阶段性考试作为替代。然而，他们对在线开展实践/临床模拟和大学考试持强烈保留意见。建议开展电子学习培训和在线教育的机构策略。
